In 2003 I took my first international, non-family vacation to visit a friend who was studying in London. It was wintertime and I remember being struck by the image of bare trees against the grey London skies; an image quite different from winter scenes in LA. Ever since that trip, images like the one above have pulled at my heartstrings in a powerful way because, for me, they will forever be associated with a time of independence, adventure and unknown. Powerful themes for a young girl.